Malaysia continues searches for illegals after boat sinks, toll climbs to 21

"Weather conditions are not so friendly but anyhow, we're trying our level best," Romli said. So far, 13 survivors had been rescued, he added.

Hundreds of Rohingya people boarded a vessel bound for Malaysia two weeks ago, and were transferred onto two boats on Thursday, according to Khairul Azhar Nuruddin, Police Chief on Malaysia's northern Langkawi island, the centre of search operations.